Marie DiPiero

Northside Broadcasting Co-operative (2NSB) is a community radio station based in Chatswood, Sydney. It operates on the FM99.3 frequency and is referred to as the North shore's FM99.3 on-air and for business purposes. The station began broadcasting in May 1983 from a pepper-corn rent house in East Chatswood, transmitting to the 'North Shore' - an area that covers the Willoughby, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Mosman and Ku-ring-gai council areas. The station is funded by listener donations and sponsorship from local businesses across Sydney's North Shore and greater Sydney area.

Marie's pre-trip thoughts

Internship: FM 99.3 as the station manager's assistant. FM 99.3 is a community based radio station broadcasting through the New South Wales areas.

Why are you participating in the Augustana in Australia program? I am participating in the Augustana in Australia program because I am very interested in studying abroad and have always dreamed of going to Australia.

What value do you hope to add back to the internship site? I hope to add an American sense of the radio industry to this station as I've interned at a radio station over the past summer (95.1 will rock) and have been a DJ and worked for WAUG the last 3 years. I also hope to learn new skills to apply back in the U.S.

What do you hope to learn on your internship? I hope to be able to apply this work to the future and learn how a community based station is run. I look forward to assisting the general manager in the daily duties needed to run the radio station and specific radio shows. I also hope to learn about myself and work effectively in a professional atmosphere.

Where do you plan to travel during your term "down under"? I would like to travel to Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef. I also plan to learn to surf through participation in surf camp. Traveling to Fiji is also on my list.

What do you anticipate to be the highlight of your experience "down under"? I anticipate that being out of my comfort zone and learning will be the highlight of my experience "down under".